Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/104

94 knob. But Sapt was upon him, and Sapt's revolver was at his ear.

In the passage the King stopped.

"What are they doing in there?" he asked, hearing the noise of the quick movements.

"I don't know, sire," said Bernenstein, and he took a step forward. "No, stop a minute, Lieutenant: you're pulling me along!"

"A thousand pardons, sire."

"I hear nothing more now." And there was nothing to hear, for the two now stood dead silent inside the door.

"Nor I, sire. Will your Majesty go on?" And Bernenstein took another step.

"You're determined I shall," said the King with a laugh, and he let the young officer lead him away.

Inside the room, Rischenheim stood with his back against the door. He was panting for breath, and his face wa9 flushed and working with excitement. Opposite to him stood Sapt, revolver in hand.

"Till you get to heaven, my lord," said the Constable, "you'll never be nearer to it than you were in that moment. If you had opened the door, I'd have shot you through the head."

As he spoke there came a knock at the door. "Open it," he said brusquely to Rischenheim. With a muttered curse the Count obeyed him. A servant stood outside with a